Pivoting motor boat drive unit

ABSTRACT

A Pivoting Motor Boat Drive Unit for essentially flat bottom boats which automatically retracts upon hitting obstructions with a self-repositioning feature which is both variable and predetermined. The entire unit is readily removed from a tunnel mounted in a boat. The pivotal mounting includes a spring bias arrangement and may include an automatic throttle retarding switch and a cut-off switch when the unit is fully retracted. The propeller shaft includes a water bearing with a flow-through washer.

United States Patent [191 Meynier, Jr.

[451 Aug. 14, 1973 PIVOTING MOTOR BOAT DRIVE UNIT [75] Inventor: MauriceJ. Meynier, Jr., Houston,

Tex.

[73] Assignee: Crawflsh Boat Company, Inc.,

Houston, Tex.

[22] Filed: May 5, 1971 [211 Appl. No.: 140,335

[52] US. Cl. 115/35, 115/34 R [51] Int. Cl. B6311 5/12 [58] Field ofSearch 115/.5 R, 17, 34 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1969 Puretic 115/41 R6/1912 Desenberg et a1, 115/35 8/1909 Stribling 115/41 R 1/1920 Borchert115/17 13.324 7/1855 Sandgren 115/34 R Primary Examiner-Evon C. BlunkAssistant Examiner-W. Scott Carson Attorney-James F. Weiler, JeffersonD. Giller, William A. Stout, Paul L. De Verter, 11, Dudley R. Dobie,

Jr. and Henry W. Hope [5 7 ABSTRACT A Pivoting Motor Boat Drive Unit foressentially flat bottom boats which automatically retracts upon hittingobstructions with a self-repositioning feature which is both variableand predetermined. The entire unit is readily removed from a tunnelmounted in a boat. The pivotal mounting includes a spring biasarrangement and may include an automatic throttle retarding switch and acut-off switch when the unit is fully retracted. The propeller shaftincludes a water bearing with a flow-through washer.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PIVOTING MOTOR BOAT DRIVE UNIT BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION The present invention relates to a Pivoting Motor BoatDrive Unit, and more particularly one designed to be mounted in a tunnelarranged in an essentially flat bottom boat to provide the features ofan inboard motor with a retractable propeller.

The general concept of providing boats with inboard motors and pivotingpropeller shafts is known in the art, and it is believed that thefollowing patents are most pertinenti Puretic, US. Pat. No. 3,469,558;Daniels, US. Pat.

No. 2,569,802; Ramsey, U.S. Pat. No. 1,850,770; and

Turnbull US. Pat. No. 1,490,046.

The foregoing patents do not disclose a Pivoting Motor Boat Drive Unitwhich may be readily removed from the boat, and which will automaticallyretract and reposition itself to the predetennined variable positiononce the obstruction is passed.

SUMMARY The Pivoting Motor Boat Drive Unit of the present inventiongenerally includes a ratchet control which is used to provide a variableand predetermined pivoted position for the drive unit. At the same time,the control allows the drive unit to retract upon hitting anobstruction, and to reposition itself to the predetermined position oncethe obstruction is passed. The entire unit is designed to be readilyremoved from a boat by loosening several bolts, and lifting out. Animproved water bearing with a flow-through washer is provided forlubricating the propeller bearing. An automatic throttle retardingswitch and a cut-off switch are provided to slow or kill the motor asthe propeller is retracted free of the water. The control for the rudderis incorporated within the propeller shaft housing. A flexible, open-topboot is provided to seal the propeller shaft housing, to prevent entryof water around the housing into the interior of the boat.

Thus, it is the principal object of the present'invention to provide apivoting motor boat drive unit which includes a mechanism for theautomatic retraction of the unit upon encountering obstructions, andwhich further includes a self-repositioning feature, to reposition thedrive unit in a predetermined initial position.

Other and further objects, features and advantages are enumerated above,or will be apparent from an examination of the following description ofthe presently preferred embodiment of the invention, given for thepurpose of disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Like character references designatelike parts throughout the several views of the drawings:

FIG. I is a partial sectional side view showing the drive unit of thepresent invention positioned for propulsion of the boat;

FIGQZ is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the unit fully retracted;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along Line 3-3 of FIG. 2showing the method of mounting the unit to the tunnel transom;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional side view showing the interconnectionbetween the motor and the propeller shaft;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional side view showing the water bearing andpropeller assembly;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of thewater bearing; and

FIG. 7 is an end view, partly in section taken along the Line 7-7 ofFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. I, thereference numeral 10 generally refers to the complete drive unit of thepresent invention, which includes the base 12, motor 14, pivot mount 16,propeller shaft housing 18, propeller 20, and associated controldevices. The base 12 sits at the forward or transom end 25 of the tunnel24, which is centrally located in the boat 22 and extends to the rear 26thereof. The base 12 is suitably attached to the tunnel transom 25, andthrough the pivotalmounting block 16, supports the drive unit 10. Thewidth of the tunnel 24 is just sufficient to allow the entrance of thepropeller 20 and associated guards, through the top cover 28. The cover28 is suitably hinged, as at30 to allow the installation and removal ofthe drive unit.

The motor 14 may be any convenient prime mover, such as an electric,diesel, gasoline or hydraulic engine. The motor is here shown as afour-cycle, air cooled engine, which may exhaust through the flexibleline 32 into the tunnel 24. The exhaust line may include a union 33 toallow breaking the line. Mounted on the carrying handle 34 is the motorcontrol, which may comprise a conventional combined throttle and chokewith an on-off switch, as' in lawnmower practice. Mounted beneath themotor 14 is a cut-off switch38, which serves to kill the motor when itis pivoted down- *wardly as seen in FIG. 2, so that the switch 38contacts the'base l2. Mounted adjacent the cut-off switch 38'is athrottle retarding switch 39 which servesto reduce the motor speed asthe propeller is pivoted upwardly toward the waters surface. Next tothecut-off switch 38 is an override switch 40 which maybe utilized toprevent the cut-off switch from automatically killing the motor, or todisengage the throttle retarding switch 39.

The propeller shaft housing 18 is suitably attached to the motor 14 andextends through an aperture 42 in the tunnel transom 24. The aperture-42is sealed by'means of a flexible (e.g., rubber) boot 44 as seen in FIG.7. Referring to FIG. 7, it is seen that the'boot 44 is held against thetunnel end by the U" shaped boot retainer 46 and the screws 48, and itthus serves as a seal to prevent the entrance of water about the bottomof the housing 18. The boot 44 is open-at the top, so that the entiredrive unit 10 may be removed by lifting up wardly.

Again referring to FIG. 1, the propeller'shaft housing 18 terminateswith the tail piece 64, propeller- 20 and the rudder 50. In front of andon either side of the propeller are guards 52, which in conjunction withthe rudder supports, help prevent damage to the propeller-20.

As seen in FIG. 4, the propeller shaft housing 18 is hollow, andextending therethrough is the propeller shaft 54. At its inner end, thepropeller shaft 54 is-attached by a suitable coupling 56'to the motorshaft 58, as by appropriate screws 60 and pin 62.

As seen in FIG. 5, the propeller shaft 54 passes through the tail piece64 and is attached to the propeller 20 by means of a suitable shear pin66, nut 68 and cotter key 70. The tail piece 64 'includesa bearing 72 inwhich is journaled a sleeve 74 suitably attached, and by the pin 76, tothe shaft 54. Situated between the bearing 72 and the propeller 20 is awasher 78. The bearing 72 is water lubricated, and this is accomplishedby the entrance of water through ports 80 in the propeller shaft housing18. Water flows along the outside of the shaft 54 and sleeve 74, thencethrough slots 82 in the bearing 72. These slots are best seen in FIG. 6.

The washer 78 abutts the bearing 72, as well as the rear of thepropeller 20, and ordinarily would prevent any substantial flow of waterthrough the bearing 72. However, by recessing the washer, as at 84, andthen drilling radial holes 86 from the outside of the washer 78 into therecessed portions 84, water may pass freely through the bearing 72. Itfurther appears that rotation of the washer 78 tends to pull waterthrough the bearing 72, because of the centrifugal action, thus furtheraiding lubrication.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the rudder 50 is pivoted to the tail piece 64by means of the integral pivot pins 88 extending from the rudder intosuitable bearings. The upper pin 88 has a pulley 90 formed thereon. Atiller cable 92 extends through the propeller shaft housing 18, underrollers 94, over rollers 96, past vertical roller 98 to the pulley 90.The cable 92 is suitably attached to the pulley 90 as by the screw 100,and returns by essentially the same path through the propeller shafthousing 18. Thus, it is seen that pulling one of the cables 92 resultsin turning the rudder in one direction, and vice versa, allowing forsteering of the boat.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the cables 92 proceed under the rollers 102and 104, thence upwardly to the handle 34, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.Referring to those figures, the cables 92 proceed over rollers 106,mounted on either side of the handle 34 to either side of tiller 108,where they are suitably attached. Thus, it is readily seen thatactuation of the pivotally mounted tiller 108 results in actuation ofthe rudder 50 through the medium of the cable 92. It is further seenthat the cable 92 is enclosed within the housing 18 and within suitablefairing pieces 110 and 112 on the tail piece 64, as seen in FIG. 5, sothat it is not exposed to sticks, twigs, or the like under water.

Referring again to FIG. 1 and 2, the extreme positions of the drive unitare illustrated. The unit pivots on the pivotal mounting block 16through the pin 112. Since the motor is heavier than the shaft,propeller and rudder, and since the result of operation of the propellertends to raise it from the water, it is necessary to bias the propellerdownwardly. This is accomplished by means of the lever 114 and one ormore springs 116. One end of the spring 116 is attached to the base 12,while the other end is attached to the lever 114. The lever is pivotallyattached to the base through pedestal 118. Protruding from the lever 114is a boss having a hole 115 therein adjacent the pedestal. This hole incombination with a conventional pin is used to lock the lever in theposition shown in FIG. 2 when removing the motor. The other end of thelever 114 may include a roller 120 which bears against the base of themotor 14. The size and number of the springs 116 may be varied to suitthe particular motor and running characteristics desired.

It is, however, necessary that the springs not be so strong as toprevent the propeller from pivoting upwardly when an obstruction isencountered. It is also desirable that the propeller be adjustable tovarious predetermined positions, and this is accomplished by means ofthe ratchet mechanism 122. Mounted on top of the tunnel 24 is theratchet pedestal 124. Pivotally mounted therein is the handle 126, whichincludes a trigger 128 attached through the rod 130 to the pawl 132. Thepawl 132 engages the ratchet teeth on the ratchet pedestal. Extendingfrom the handle 126 is the arm 134, which has a rotating eyebolt 136mounted thereon. Attached to the propeller drive shaft housing 18 is aclamp 138 to which is pivotally attached a lift bolt 140. The lift bolt140 extends upwardly through an opening 142 in the tunnel cover 28,through the eye of the eyebolt 136 and terminates in a removablefastener 144. The eye of the eyebolt 136 through which the bolt 140passes is sufficiently large to allow free vertical movement of the bolttherethrough.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1, if the tail piece 64 hits anobstruction, then the housing 18 will pivot upwardly about the pivotpoint 112. Since the bolt 140 passes freely through the plug 136, thebolt 140 will move upwardly, and the handle will remain in the presentposition. Further, when the obstruction is passed, the housing 18 willreturn downwardly, because of the spring bias on the motor, to theprevious predetermined position. On the other hand, if it is desired toset the propeller at some higher position, this is readily accomplishedby pulling back on the handle 126 so that the pawl 132 engages anothertooth in the ratchet pedestal 124. The fully retracted position is seenin FIG. 2. In other than in the fully retracted position, again, uponencountering obstructions, the drive shaft will raise upwardly, and oncethe obstruction is passed, will fall back to the predetermined position.Note in FIGS. 1 and 2 that the bottom of the block 16 fits into stops146 in the base 12, to prevent downward movement. The block is retainedin the base by the fasteners 148, seen in FIGS. 3 and 7.

To remove the drive unit 10 from the boat, it is only necessary toloosen or remove the fasteners 148, and to remove the fastening device144 so that the bolt 140 is freed from the eyebolt 136, and break theexhaust line connection to the tunnel, as at the union 33. To lock thelever 114 so that it does not bear against the motor base, a pin may beinserted in the hole 115 in the lever 114. Then, the cover 28 on thetunnel 24 is opened. The entire drive unit may now be lifted free of theboat by lifting the mounting block 16 from the base 12. The drive unitmay now be stored, repaired, replaced, or the like, as the owner maydesire. The reverse of this procedure reinstalls the drive unit 10.

Thus, it is seen that the present invention has provided a pivotingmotor boat drive unit which is particularly useful in providing avariable and predetermined pivoted position for the drive unit, whichdrive unit will pivot upwardly upon striking an underwater obstruction,and will automatically return to the predetermined position once theobstruction is passed, as well as the other features previouslymentioned. The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carryout the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well asothers inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of theinvention has been given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changesin details of construction, and the combination, shape, size andarrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vertically pivoting motor boat drive unit for use in a boathaving a fixed tunnel extending from the rear of the boat to a forwardposition, the tunnel transom at the forward position having an aperturetherein, the drive unit including a motor in the boat and a drive shaftextending from the motor through the aperture and past the rear of theboat and terminating in a propeller, the improvement including:

spring means biasing the unit to pivot the drive shaft to an inclinedposition below the bottom of the boat,

position selector means limiting the lower pivoted position of the driveshaft to discrete predetermined positions,

upswing means allowing upward pivoted movement of the drive shaft uponencountering an obstruction and return to the predetermined selectedposition upon removal of the obstruction,

the position selector means and upswing means including a ratchetpedestal mounted above the tunno],

a lever pivotally mounted on the pedestal,

a pawl selectively interconnecting the lever and ratchet pedestal,

a rotatable eyebolt mounted on the lever,

a lift bolt attached to the drive shaft and extending upwardly andslideably through the eyebolt, and fastening means attached to the liftbolt above the eyebolt.

2. The invention of claim 1 including:

a switch arranged to cut off the drive unit upon pivoting of the driveshaft to a horizontal position.

3. The invention of claim 1 the drive unit includes;

a drive shaft housing extending from the motor to the propeller,

a propeller shaft journaled in the housing,

a rudder mounted on the propeller end of the housa tiller mountedadjacent to the motor, and

tiller cables extending from the tiller to the rudder and arrangedwithin the housing free of the shaft.

4. The invention of claim 3 including:

a water lubricated bearing mounted in the housing adjacent thepropeller,

at least one water inlet port in the housing adjacent the bearing,

a washer rotatable on the shaft and mounted between the bearing andpropeller,

said washer being recessed about the shaft adjacent the bearing, and

said washer having radial holes extending from the recess to the outerperiphery to allow water within the housing and bearing to flow throughsaid washer.

5. The invention of claim 1 including:

seal means mounted on the tunnel transom to prevent water from enteringthe boat from the tunnel beneath the drive shaft,

said seal means including a flexible open topped boot attached to thetransom at the aperture through which the drive shaft extends, and

a U" shaped flange fixing the edge of the boot to the tunnel transom andholding the boot to the bottom half of the drive shaft.

6. The invention of claim 1 including:

a switch arranged to retard the speed of the drive unit upon pivoting ofthe drive shaft upward to a position where the propeller breaks thewater's surface.

1. In a vertically pivoting motor boat drive unit for use in a boathaving a fixed tunnel extending from the rear of the boat to a forwardposition, the tunnel transom at the forward position having an aperturetherein, the drive unit including a motor in the boat and a drive shaftextending from the motor through the aperture and past the rear of theboat and terminating in a propeller, the improvement including: springmeans biasing the unit to pivot the drive shaft to an inclined positionbelow the bottom of the boat, position selector means limiting the lowerpivoted position of the drive shaft to discrete predetermined positions,upswing means allowing upward pivoted movement of the drive shaft uponencountering an obstruction and return to the predetermined selectedposition upon removal of the obstruction, the position selector meansand upswing means including a ratchet pedestal mounted above the tunnel,a lever pivotally mounted on the pedestal, a pawl selectivelyinterconnecting the lever and ratchet pedestal, a roTatable eyeboltmounted on the lever, a lift bolt attached to the drive shaft andextending upwardly and slideably through the eyebolt, and fasteningmeans attached to the lift bolt above the eyebolt.
 2. The invention ofclaim 1 including: a switch arranged to cut off the drive unit uponpivoting of the drive shaft to a horizontal position.
 3. The inventionof claim 1 the drive unit includes; a drive shaft housing extending fromthe motor to the propeller, a propeller shaft journaled in the housing,a rudder mounted on the propeller end of the housing, a tiller mountedadjacent to the motor, and tiller cables extending from the tiller tothe rudder and arranged within the housing free of the shaft.
 4. Theinvention of claim 3 including: a water lubricated bearing mounted inthe housing adjacent the propeller, at least one water inlet port in thehousing adjacent the bearing, a washer rotatable on the shaft andmounted between the bearing and propeller, said washer being recessedabout the shaft adjacent the bearing, and said washer having radialholes extending from the recess to the outer periphery to allow waterwithin the housing and bearing to flow through said washer.
 5. Theinvention of claim 1 including: seal means mounted on the tunnel transomto prevent water from entering the boat from the tunnel beneath thedrive shaft, said seal means including a flexible open topped bootattached to the transom at the aperture through which the drive shaftextends, and a ''''U'''' shaped flange fixing the edge of the boot tothe tunnel transom and holding the boot to the bottom half of the driveshaft.
 6. The invention of claim 1 including: a switch arranged toretard the speed of the drive unit upon pivoting of the drive shaftupward to a position where the propeller breaks the water''s surface.